The end of August and early September have been quite busy with loon rescues,  In fact, there were three tangled loons in one week!

Beached loon on Lake Sunapee with fishing line tangled around its bill.  Photo courtesy of Kris McAllister.

Special thanks go out to everyone involved in this rescue, especially Diane Laughlin, Mary Howe, Pam Green and Larry Godoin.

The second call came in on August 31 from Bow Lake in Strafford, NH.  Bow Lake volunteer Jeannie Ferguson and her niece Rosie noticed that the remaining juvenile loon from the Caswell Cove territory was trailing fishing line and got caught up on the nest raft.  They alerted LPC and NHFG, but before those staff arrived, the chick had broken free and left the cove.  Volunteer Cheryl Mrozienski, NHFG Conservation Officer Mike Matsen, and LPC Senior Biologist John Cooley searched for the chick with a spotlight at dusk, (and as it started to rain) and located it with the adult loons outside the cove.  They were able to capture the chick, untangle several yards of line and several non-lead split shot sinkers, and release it.  Surveys of the territory over the next three days showed that the chick was diving and the adult loons were foraging for it and providing prey items.  A very happy ending!

 The third report came from Governor's Island on Lake Winnipesaukee on September 2.  Gilford resident Bonnie Deutsch reported a listless loon she had discovered while kayaking.  With the help of a local boat owner, Bonnie and LPC staff were able to capture the badly-tangled loon.  Immediate care at Interlakes Animal Hospital showed that the loon had ingested a fish hook but no metal sinkers or jigs.  

Radiograph shows a large fishing hook that was ingested by the loon.  Courtesy of Interlakes Animal Hospital.

The line around the bill and tongue was removed and the loon was transferred to wildlife rehabilitators in Maine. The prompt care from Dr. Jacques at Interlakes Animal Hospital and rehabilitators at Avian Haven in Maine paid off, as another x-ray this week showed that the fishing hook had broken down enough and made its way to the gizzard.  The loon was released on September 15 in Penobscot Bay. Another happy ending indeed!

Fishing line entanglement is unfortunately a common problem for loons and other wildlife, especially in late summer, as these three incidents show.  Again, it's a good reminder to reel in around loons, retrieve discarded fishing line, and always use non-lead fishing tackle.  We hope the rest of September is quieter!

The Loon Preservation Committee is dedicated to restoring and maintaining a healthy population of loons throughout New Hampshire; monitoring the health and productivity of loon populations as sentinels of environmental quality; and promoting a greater understanding of loons and the natural world.